MAYA BROOKS: "Did that summary identify the unresolved items?"
THOMAS MERCER: "Yes."
MAYA BROOKS: "And did he receive the revised version?"
THOMAS MERCER: "Yes."
Maya looked at the documents.
The original and revised summaries had both been sent to the regional command office.
That was important.
It suggested that the office had access to information showing that the readiness figures had changed.
But Maya still needed to establish whether General Vale had personally reviewed the differences.
She requested the original correspondence and the distribution records.
The investigation team began examining the documents.
Meanwhile, inside the administrative waiting area, Victor Hayes sat alone.
He had been informed that the investigation was expanding.
He also knew that Major Calloway and Lieutenant Colonel Mercer were being questioned.
The confidence he had displayed in Hangar Four had disappeared.
He had spent years believing that the people above him would protect him as long as he kept the department's performance figures high.
Now those same officers were being asked to explain their own decisions.
Victor began to realize that he might become the person everyone blamed.
He had signed the reports.
He had pressured the technicians.
He had written the false incident statement about Maya.
And he had assaulted her in front of multiple witnesses.
But he also knew that he had not created the readiness targets.
He had not approved the final evaluation.
And he had not been the only person who understood that some inspections were incomplete.
Victor requested another interview.
The investigation officer informed Maya.
She approved the request.
Victor entered the interview room with his representative.
He looked exhausted.
Maya remained seated across the table.
MAYA BROOKS: "Sergeant Hayes, you requested this meeting."
VICTOR HAYES: "Yes, Colonel."
MAYA BROOKS: "What do you want to add to your statement?"
Victor looked down.
VICTOR HAYES: "I wasn't the only one who knew about the reports."
MAYA BROOKS: "We are already examining the approval chain."
VICTOR HAYES: "I have something that might help."
He placed a small notebook on the table.
The investigation officer examined it.
The notebook contained dates, aircraft identification numbers, and brief notes about instructions Victor had received.
Some entries referred to meetings with Major Calloway.
Others contained references to Lieutenant Colonel Mercer.
One page included the date of the readiness evaluation.
Beside it was a handwritten note.
"FINAL STATUS MUST MEET APPROVED TARGET."
Maya examined the page.
MAYA BROOKS: "Who wrote this?"
VICTOR HAYES: "I did."
MAYA BROOKS: "Who gave you the instruction?"
VICTOR HAYES: "Major Calloway."
MAYA BROOKS: "Did he tell you to certify inspections that had not been completed?"
Victor hesitated.
VICTOR HAYES: "He told me the unresolved items needed to be cleared before the deadline."
MAYA BROOKS: "What did you understand that to mean?"
Victor looked at her.
VICTOR HAYES: "That the reports had to show completed status."
MAYA BROOKS: "Even if the work wasn't finished?"
Victor nodded.
VICTOR HAYES: "Yes."
Maya made a note.
MAYA BROOKS: "Did you tell Major Calloway that some inspections were incomplete?"
VICTOR HAYES: "Yes."
MAYA BROOKS: "How did he respond?"
VICTOR HAYES: "He said the technical details would be handled after the evaluation."
Maya looked toward the investigation officer.
MAYA BROOKS: "We need to verify that statement through the original communications."
The officer nodded.
Victor continued.
VICTOR HAYES: "I thought everyone understood what we were doing."
MAYA BROOKS: "Did the technicians understand?"
Victor looked down.
VICTOR HAYES: "Some of them questioned it."
MAYA BROOKS: "And you threatened their assignments."
Victor remained silent.
MAYA BROOKS: "You used your authority to pressure people into supporting reports they believed were inaccurate."
VICTOR HAYES: "I was trying to keep the department running."
MAYA BROOKS: "You were trying to protect the numbers."
Victor did not answer.
Maya leaned forward slightly.
MAYA BROOKS: "The technicians were responsible for reporting the actual condition of the aircraft. You made them afraid to do that."
Victor looked at the table.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he spoke quietly.
VICTOR HAYES: "I know."
Maya waited.
VICTOR HAYES: "I knew some of those reports weren't right."
The investigation officer recorded the admission.
Victor continued.
VICTOR HAYES: "I kept telling myself the work would be finished later. I thought the aircraft would be inspected before anything happened."
MAYA BROOKS: "But you certified the work before it was completed."
VICTOR HAYES: "Yes."
MAYA BROOKS: "And when I asked about the original records, you attacked me."
Victor looked toward her injured lip.
His expression changed.
VICTOR HAYES: "I shouldn't have done that."
MAYA BROOKS: "No."
VICTOR HAYES: "I was angry because I thought you were going to expose everything."
Maya remained still.
VICTOR HAYES: "I knew the records wouldn't survive a proper inspection."
The room became quiet.
Maya looked directly at him.
MAYA BROOKS: "Then you understood why I was asking questions."
Victor nodded.
VICTOR HAYES: "Yes."
Maya closed the notebook.
MAYA BROOKS: "Your cooperation will be documented. But it does not erase your conduct."
VICTOR HAYES: "I understand."
MAYA BROOKS: "You will still be held accountable for the assault, the intimidation, and your involvement in the maintenance reporting process."